Gina Gershon, special guest at last weekend's San Francisco International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival closer, "Prey for Rock and Roll," was the target of an aggressive swarm of adolescent autograph seekers, apparently dispatched by one Fagan. The teens, equipped with 8-by-10s and Sharpies, dodged, ducked, dipped, nudged and pushed to get close to Gershon, especially as she passed through the lobby on her way in and out of the Castro Theatre.

The gang appears every time there's a celebrity in sight, say local pros who organize film festivals. The youngers look about 10 to 15 years old and are so ferocious in their efforts to close in and procure stars' autographs that they are "very menacing," said one publicist.

"It's one guy with a lot of exactly the same kids," said another, who works on the San Francisco International Film Festival. "They are very persistent." The most prized bounties are top-of-the-line recognizable stars. At last spring's film festival, Dustin Hoffman was sought after, but veteran director Robert Altman wasn't.

At the Castro on Saturday night, the house manager decreed that late-comers sit in the balcony, to prevent them from bothering Gershon during the show, should she happen to leave her seat. The kids are holders of tickets (although "Prey for Rock and Roll" wasn't exactly a kid-friendly movie), so they can't be tossed out. One woman who left the movie early reported that the man who seems to be the boss asked her for her ticket.

Although the gay and lesbian festival had declared a no-autograph policy, the teens refused to be put off, and one publicist says that when he touched the arm of a particularly aggressive youngster, the kid screamed "child molester."

"These guys are out of control," said a festival regular.

POLITICAL ANIMALS: Go to google.com, type in "weapons of mass destruction" and hit the "I'm feeling lucky" bar. On the other hand, honk if you love George Bush.

And here are the astute thoughts of political wannabe Arnold Schwarzenegger upon arriving at Baghdad Airport for a screening of his latest "Terminator" movie (quoted by the British newspaper the Independent): "It is really wild driving 'round here, I mean the poverty, and you see there is no money. It is disastrous financially and there is the leadership vacuum, pretty much like California."

Furthermore, in a report on Fajitagate in the latest New Yorker, Jeffrey Toobin describes San Francisco's mayor: "Now 69 years old, Willie L. Brown Jr. has dominated San Francisco politics for a generation. . . . In his Brioni suits, usually with matching fedoras, and his regal bearing, Brown symbolized the swagger and flash of San Francisco in the late-'90s dot-com boom. Today, like the city itself, he stands somewhat diminished -- just another mayor managing budget cuts, and a lame duck at that. Tough times have not, however, diminished Brown's towering self-confidence."

FINALLY: July 4 was hot and bright even in San Francisco, and the Dolores Park crowd for the San Francisco Mime Troupe's season opener -- the show is "Veronique of the Mounties in 'Operation Frozen Freedom' " -- was wrapped in its customary tie-dyed red, white and blue. The event presents a panorama of political possibilities, from left to even lefter. (Ed Holmes' after-show pitch included the actor's personal plea for voting action. After playing Dick Cheney for two years, he doesn't want to get stuck in the role.)

Offstage, friends of musician Nik and Nancy Phelps, whose annual picnic combines cheer, chips and camaraderie with the vibes of Burning Man, chowed down and listened up, while those in the running (Tom Ammiano) and their minions (campaign workers for Dennis Kucinich) pleaded their causes. Lapping up the sunshine, the sentiment and a juice bar, TIC witnessed a game of catch and Josh Kornbluth pitching his "Love & Taxes" at the Magic Theatre to Dave Giesen, who was pitching his mayoral candidacy ("the alternative to the establishment") right back at the monologist. Ain't that the American way?

GLIMPSES: Jeannie Schultz, widow of "Peanuts" creator Charles Schultz, isn't talking yet, but word is that some kind of tribute from the environmental artist Christo, planned for 25 years, will be unveiled on Oct. 2 at 53rd anniversary celebrations for the strip.

PRIORITIZING

"The French manicure thing. I don't understand it. They should be banned."

-- Ellen Degeneres, in Interview magazine, in response to Alanis Morissette, who asked what she'd do first if she were president.

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